Montserrat Update 016

From: Global Volcanism Network
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 95 06:28:04 EST
Subject: Montserrat: Volcano DHA-13
MONTSERRAT-VOLCANIC ERUPTION
DHA - INFORMATION REPORT NO. 13
30 OCTOBER 1995
1. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST STEAM EXPLOSION OF THE CHANCE'S PEAK
VOLCANO, THE VOLCANIC ACTIVITY IN MONTSERRAT CONTINUES, WITH LESS
INTENSITY. REGISTERING A FLUCTUATING BUT GENERAL MODEST NUMBER OF LOCAL
EARTHQUAKES AND PERIODIC SMALL EXPLOSIONS OF ASH AND STEAM.
2. ON 21 AUGUST 1995 A LARGER EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE GENERATING A
VERTICAL COLUMN TO 2,500 METERS, PART OF WHICH THEN DESCENDED AS A
COLD ASH AVALANCHE UPON THE WESTERN FLANKS OF THE VOLCANO,
INCLUDING THE CAPITAL TOWN PLYMOUTH AND NEIGHBOURING VILLAGES,
TRIGGERING THE EVACUATION OF ITS 5,000 RESIDENTS TO THE NORTH OF
MONTSERRAT. THIS SITUATION LASTED UNTIL THE THREAT OF HURRICANE
LUIS ON 5 AND 6 SEPTEMBER 1995, WHEN THE EVACUEES MOVED BACK TO
THEIR HOMES ON THE LOWER SLOPES OF THE VOLCANO.
3. THE LAST SIGNIFICANT EVENT WAS THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON 25
SEPTEMBER 1995 OF THE NON EXPLOSIVE GROWTH OF A NEW LAVA DOME AT
THE WESTERN FOOT OF CASTLE PEAK, WHICH ITSELF WAS A RECENTLY
PRE-HISTORIC DOME NESTED WITHIN THE HORSESHOE-SHAPED ENGLISH'S
CRATER.
4. DESPITE THIS CHANGEABLE SITUATION, SCHOOLS AND BUSINESS
REOPENED AND MONTSERRAT IS BACK TO ITS NORMAL LIFE. AN INFORMATION
CAMPAIGN, THROUGH THE LOCAL MEDIA IS BEING CARRIED OUT, IN ORDER TO
ADEQUATELY INFORM THE POPULATION, ON THE CURRENT SITUATION AND THE
ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE AUTHORITIES.
5. THE CHIEF OF THE DISASTER MITIGATION BRANCH (UNDHA-GENEVA),
VISITED THE ISLAND, FROM 3 TO 14 OCTOBER 1995, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
REFINING SCIENTIFIC MONITORING AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES, AS
WELL AS ADVISING THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES ON WAYS OF
IMPROVING AND STREAMLINING ALERT, EVACUATION AND RELIEF
COORDINATION PROCEDURES.
6. THIS WILL BE THE FINAL REPORT ON THIS EMERGENCY, UNLESS THE
CURRENT ERUPTION BECOMES MORE VIOLENT AND LEADS TO NEW RELIEF
ASSISTANCE NEEDS.
TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-917-1234
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY: TELEPHONE +41-22-917-2010
DESK OFFICER: CARLOS PEREIRA,DIRECT TEL: +41-22-917.13.83
PRESS TO CONTACT: MRS. MOULIN-ACEVEDO
TEL: +41-22-917-28-56
TELEX: 414242 DHA CH
FAX: +41-22-917-0023
ELECTRONIC MAIL: INTERNET DHAGVA AT UN.ORG
DPR 310
= DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS +
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